gem

American  

[jem] / dʒɛm /

noun

1. a cut and polished precious stone or pearl fine enough for use in jewelry.

2. something likened to or prized as such a stone because of its beauty or worth.

   His painting was the gem of the collection.

   Synonyms:

   pearl, jewel, prize, treasure

3. a person held in great esteem or affection.

4. muffin.

5. British Printing. a 4-point type of a size between brilliant and diamond.

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verb (used with object)

gemmed, gemming

1. to adorn with or as with gems; begem.

adjective

1. Jewelry. noting perfection or very high quality.

   gem color; a gem ruby.

gem British  

/ dʒɛm /

noun

1. a precious or semiprecious stone used in jewellery as a decoration; jewel

2. a person or thing held to be a perfect example; treasure

3. a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 4 point

4. a type of small sweet cake

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verb

1. (tr) to set or ornament with gems

Other Word Forms

• gemless adjective
• gemlike adjective
• gemmy adjective

Etymology

Origin of gem

1275–1325; Middle English gemme < Old French < Latin gemma bud, jewel; replacing Middle English yimme, Old English gim ( m ) < Latin

Example Sentences

At first glance, Danny had thought it was a gem, but up close he saw it was a gold acorn with two green leaves at the stem.

From Literature

Demand for natural diamonds has weakened as younger buyers spend less on traditional jewellery and are drawn to cheaper lab‑grown gems.

From Barron's

Honestly, if memorable scenes were gems, “Ted Lasso” would be an encrusted splendor fit for the Queen.

From Salon

But the letter hadn't mentioned anything about this, so brushing away a tear of his own, he tucked the gem into his pocket.

From Literature

Her campaigns have included saving architectural gem Gorton Monastery from being converted into flats.

From BBC

Related Words

• hardware
• jewel
• jewelry
• masterpiece
• ornament
• stone